The State Library has started a six month trial with Recorded Books for their on demand 'MyLibraryDV' service. Users will be able to access hundreds of hours of DVD quality programming on topics such as cooking, travel, and health as well as classic movies and more.

The above webpage is not yet publicly linked from the State Library site. Our trial began February 1st and will continue for six months.

Sweetwater County Library looking for historic library information

Sweetwater County Library in Green River is celebrating their centennial on July 4th of this year. Included is a 100 day count down to the big day. A local radio station has agreed to a "Did you know….?" spot each day (5 days a week for 14 weeks). They are looking for Wyoming library facts/trivia to include as part of the information. If you have anything to add, please contact Vicki Roth at 307/872-3202 or vroth@will.state.wy.us The countdown begins with 1907. Each day will be the next year (Monday 1907, Tuesday 1908, etc.) and the fact will pertain to that year only.

"Picturing America" at your library

The American Library Association (ALA) Public Programs Office (PPO), in collaboration with the National Endowment for the Humanities (NEH), announced "Picturing America," a new grant opportunity for schools and school libraries. Applications are now available at http://publicprograms.ala.org/picturingamerica.

A pilot project of NEH's We the People program, "Picturing America" has been created to promote the teaching, study and understanding of American history and culture in K-12 schools through examples of the nation's most significant works of art and architecture and to facilitate interdisciplinary partnerships between school library media specialists, art teachers, history teachers, classroom instructors and other educators.

"Picturing America" will provide 500 public and private schools with:
- A collection of 20 double-sided, laminated posters depicting works of American art.

- A 100-page resource booklet with information about the paintings, sculpture, architecture, and crafts reproduced. The booklet contains essays for each poster, teaching suggestions, and quick introductory exercises geared to different grade levels.

- The Picturing America Web site, which will contain links to extensive lesson plans and other educational resources organized by poster, themes, and subjects (history, social studies, and other disciplines).

Public, private, parochial and charter schools and home school consortia (K-12) are eligible to receive "Picturing America" awards. Applications may be submitted on behalf of the schools by school librarians, art teachers, classroom teachers and other educators and school administrators. The online application is available at http://publicprograms.ala.org/picturingamerica. NEH estimates that the complete application process will take one hour to complete.

A list of "Picturing America" images, as well as guidelines and applications, are available online at http://publicprograms.ala.org/picturingamerica. Online applications will be accepted January 8 through March 19, 2007. Awards will be announced in May 2007. "Picturing America" collections will be distributed in September 2007 for use during the 2007-2008 school year.

With questions, please contact the ALA Public Programs Office at publicprograms@ala.org.

Public Libraries Magazine asking for submissions on GLBT programs

While several large public libraries do provide outreach, collections and programming to the GLBT community, smaller libraries looking to serve this population may be hard pressed to find resources and examples to follow.

If you are currently working in a small to medium size public library that is currently serving their GLBT community, Public Libraries Magazine editors wants to know. They would also like to hear from libraries that do not currently serve this population. What are the roadblocks you have faced to providing this service?

The Perspectives column, co-edited by Nanci Milone Hill and Nann Blaine-Hilyard, presents varying viewpoints on topics of current interest to public librarians.

They are currently seeking essays of approximately 1,000 words in length on the topic of GLBT services. There is no pay involved, but authors selected for inclusion receive two free copies of the magazine in which their essay appears. Please send inquiries to Nanci Milone Hill at nhill@mvlc.org

To be considered for inclusion, essays must be received no later than March 1, 2007.

Librarian trip to Scotland

The University of Wisconsin-Madison School of Library & Information Studies will again offer its popular tour to Scotland, July 14-25, 2007. The small group will be based at an historic manor house near Edinburgh for the first four nights, with days spent exploring in the city and surrounding areas. The trip continues in the highlands and on the Isle of Skye, and concludes in Glasgow. The program will include visits to several important libraries and many scenic and historic sites, plus free time to explore. The cost will be approximately $2389 (plus airfare), which includes accommodations, all breakfasts and nine dinners, group excursions, admissions and tickets to events, ground transportation, instructional fees and gratuities. For detailed information and itinerary, visit http://www.slis.wisc.edu/continueed/scotland/index.htm or contact the tour leader, Jane Pearlmutter, (608) 262-6398, jpearlmu@wisc.edu

GRANTS, WORKSHOPS & OPPORTUNITIES

Spotlight on Communication at CoALL Conference

On Saturday, February 24, 2007, the Colorado Association of Law Libraries (CoALL) will hold its second annual conference on career development for library students, librarians, and other information professionals, "Spotlight on Your Career: Communication." The keynote speech, "Wake up and Smell the Power: How Candor is Your Key to Outrageous Success," will be delivered by communications expert Meryl Runion, CEO of SpeakStrong, Inc.

The program will be held in the Sturm College of Law, on the University of Denver campus, on Saturday, February 24th, from 8:30 a.m. to 3:00 p.m. The registration fee, which is $30 before February 14 and $35 after that date, includes a one-day DU parking pass, breakfast, and lunch, as well as the conference itself.

The Grantsmanship Center's signature Grantsmanship Training Program is coming to Louisville (Boulder area), Colorado, April 9-13, 2007. The program will be hosted by the National Institute for Trial Advocacy (NITA). The Grantsmanship Training Program covers all aspects of researching grants, writing grant proposals and negotiating with funding sources. Tuition for the Grantsmanship Training Program is $875 ($825 for each additional registrant from the same organization). Class size is limited to 30 participants. To register online, to learn about scholarship opportunities for qualifying organizations, or for more information, visit http://www.tgci.com/gtptraining.shtml or call The Grantsmanship Center's Registrar at (800) 421-9512.

NEW LIBRARY SCIENCE PUBLICATIONS

Visit the New Library Science Publications at the Wyoming State Library webpage, http://will.state.wy.us/ldo/newpubs.html, to view an annotated list of new items added to the State Library's Professional Collection

Best new technologies [DVD]: Keeping up with the storm
This program explores several of the newest technologies, investigate why librarians are adopting them and how they're being used, and examine sensible approaches to choosing and implementing the technology that are right for your library...

Engaging the online learner: Activities and resources for creative instruction
The book also provides specific ideas for tested activities (collected from experienced online instructors across the nation) that can go a long way to improving online learning...

Managing student employees in college libraries (3rd.)
Included is a selection of documents illustrating policies for all aspects of student employment including job descriptions, application forms, employment agreements, and orientation...

Rethinking information work: A career guide for librarians and other information professionals
Leading you through a process of planning the information career of your choice, it shows you how to determine what type of work would be most fulfilling to you, explores what types of work are available to those with an LIS-based skill set, and helps you create an action plan for accomplishing your career goals and reaching your full professional potential...

Technology and the school library: A comprehensive guide for media specialists and other educators
Technology and the School Library provides an overview of the types of technologies used in school libraries, from traditional low-tech options to the latest developments...